Hanukkah comes to a close
CRANBERRY TWP — The flames of a menorah lit the sky Wednesday as more than 100 smiling faces joined in the celebration of the last night of Hanukkah outside the municipal center.
“One flame can light up the darkness, can light up the world around us,” said Rabbi Ely Rosenfeld from the Chabad of Fox Chapel, who presided over the festive lighting ceremony.
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday also known as the Festival of Lights and Feast of Dedication. The event commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
It is observed for eight nights and days by the lighting of one additional candle each day. On the final night, all eight candles are lit.
At Wednesday night's ceremony in Cranberry, the candles were lit one by one starting from the middle. Doing the lighting were township supervisors, manager Jerry Andree and Butler County Commissioner Dale Pinkerton, among others.
The lighting was hosted by the township and the Cranberry Jewish Community Association.
Gitty Cousin of Pittsburgh came because she wanted to be a part of the first event in Cranberry.
“It was amazing. I was pleasantly surprised by the crowd. Everyone had fun,” she said. “I'm so proud to be a part of the Jewish community.”
Rosa Thompson, a native of Peru and a resident of New Brighton, Beaver County, said she and her children Matt, 10, and Catherine, 7, come to the library in the municipal center often because her son loves to read and there are a good number of children's books about God.
She learned of the lighting ceremony at the library. Although she is not Jewish, Thompson said she wanted to experience a celebration in which Christ would have taken part.
The 9-foot-tall menorah, along with the gifts, beverages and traditional Jewish foods, were provided by the Chabad of Fox Chapel Jewish Center.
The event also included traditional music and a storytelling, juggling rabbi who both children and adults enjoyed.
Rabbi Aaron Herman, the principal of the Tzohar Seminary in Pittsburgh, entertained by telling a story about making potato latkes while juggling potatoes.
He ended by asking the children to sing, “I Have a Little Dreidel” while he juggled three fire torches.
“Our Jewish community group (the Cranberry Jewish Community Association) started here two years ago because we wanted to have an identity here. This community is so diverse. Everybody is welcome here,” said Jack Cohen, who helped organize the group. “It's a fun night, and we welcome everyone who is taking part.”
The lighting ceremony was dedicated to Cohen's father-in-law, who is hospitalized.
Rabbi Rosenfeld prayed for his speedy recovery and happiness.
“I'm thrilled to see everybody here,” said Peter Longini, a member of Cranberry Township's communications team and a member of the Jewish community who helped organize the event.
